Test Story # 2 -- Make-Up Work

I was going to save this for later this term, but seeing the fatals as of late I think now is the best time to do this.

Remember those personality profiles of me that I asked you to do as an opening assignment?

Well, I'm going to return 'em to you. First, I want all of you to take a look and see how far you've come in identifying ledes, and using quotes, and determining story structure. I think everybody's come a long way.

For those of you who have fataled a test story, here's the kicker: if you rewrite the profile into a more professional form -- and that includes finding and fixing any fatals, redoing reporting or doing additional reporting, incorporating AP style, everything that you now know how to do to put it in the most presentable form possible -- then I will replace one fatal test story grade with that grade.

For the rest of you, doing the same will get you substantial extra credit points to be determined. It's a great way to either make up for a weak grade on an earlier assignment or boost your overall grade.

Additionally, if you include a multimedia component -- a video, a slide show, a podcast, whatever -- you will get even more extra credit points to be determined. Here's the catch with that part: you will have to do no fewer than two interviews but you CANNOT interview me or any of my relatives -- a realistic scenario, as from time to time you will have to do stories on subjects who will decline to comment. A big part of the exercise will be evaluating your problem-solving skills.

Here's another catch -- these extra credit or replacement credit assignments HAVE TO BE FATAL-FREE. Take nothing for granted. Check everything. See me if you have questions BEFORE you turn it in.

The deadline will be NO LATER THAN DEC. 1, but I urge you to do it and turn it in sooner than that, so we can repair your grade and get a better sense of where your final grade is headed before your final overall class assignments are due.